Feeling Down?

Have you ever felt like life is purposeless? Or that life is just weighing on you and you feel like there's no way out? You know the scriptures, you know that things are going to get better but at the same time, you're like why God? "I feel trapped in my own life." Have you ever felt like, this test is too big and I don't see the way out. I don't know how God is going to deliver me from this one. If you're feeling this way, I can assure you that this battle has nothing to do your physical environment. The screaming children, the job you hate, the fact that you're tired of being single or broke. This battle is SPIRITUAL. NOT PHYSICAL.

Ephesians 6:12 tells us: "For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places."

So, although it may seem like it's people, things and your situation that has you frustrated but I want you to know that you're in the midst of a war. A battle. An attack against your walk with the Lord. This is not the time to recite how much you hate your life, or how frustrated you are with everything. This is the time that you need to go to WAR. This is the time where you need to guard your heart more than anything. This is the time where you have to cast down those crazy thoughts and make them submit to God's word. (2 Corinthians 10:5). This is the time where you have to PRESS past your feelings & remind yourself that this season won't last always.

I discussed this in an earlier blog,  and the reality is this, satan has demons assigned to kill, steal and to try to destroy your life (John 10:10). He isn't a one man show. He sends his messengers to tell you lies. He sends his messengers to make you feel defeated. He sends his messengers to make you feel like quitting. Satan doesn't care about YOU! He just wants you OUT of the way so that he can go onto the next Christian & try to destroy THEIR life. He just wants to ruin your marriage so that he can kill your witness.

So, what are you fighting with? 

Physical means? Yelling, screaming, complaining, gossiping, worrying, fearing while comparing your life to everybody else's & wishing that you had it because you think it's better than yours? NO! Those are physical means! You cannot take earthy things to a spiritual battle!

This is what we must take to the battle:

Ephesians 6:10-18 (NLT)

The Whole Armor of God

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we[a] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

I believe that it's in those moments where we just stand firm to what we know and we know to be true while PRAYING in the Spirit (tongues) and staying alert and UNDISTRACTED. If we don't spend time with the Lord, we will won't have our sword of the Spirit. Most of us are leaving our swords of the Spirit in the car, waiting for church tomorrow. It's not enough to get an 1 hour word on Sunday. We must be intentional about sitting before the Lord.

I recognize that satan attacks when we feel weak. Or when we are our worst. The bible says he "roars around like a lion, seeking WHO he can destroy. (1 Peter 5:8). I'm reminded of the animal kingdom. The lions usually seek to chase after those animals that are weak, are old, slower or sick. Those animals that don't appear to have a fight in them. Satan is doing the same thing to you. If you feel weak, distracted, sick or not your typical self, I believe that satan is seeking to attack and destroy you.  He's aiming for YOU because you have put your guard down and you have given him an open door in your life.

We have to FIGHT back. So, repent of your sins. Repent for not trusting in the Lord this time. Stop bickering and fighting with your family. Make things right with your spouse. Get your fight back. Get back on your face in prayer. Pray on all occasions. Don't quit. Don't give up. Don't go back to your past & what seems comfortable. Press forward. Stop emotionally eating to deal with your portion. Stop texting people from your past to fill this void. This fight is SPIRITUAL.

We win in Christ.
So, now that you recognize the enemies attack. Use it against Him.

James 1:2-4
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

My prayer for you:
Father, in the name of Jesus we bind every spirit that is attacking those people reading these words right now. Satan, you  have NO authority over us. We pray right now that our hearts aren't troubled and that we trust in the Lord. We pray for peace in our homes, on our jobs, in our family, in our marriages. We pray right now for perspective. That we will recognize that these attacks are spiritual and not physical. Lord, give us wisdom on how to deal wisely with our portion. We declare Lord that we are content in  YOU and YOU alone. YOU are our peace, our joy and our strength. Strengthen us as press forward.

You have a purpose, YOU have a plan. This earth needs you to accomplish what God called you to do. Don't give up. There's something on the other side of this all.

Just a few things:

1. Find my (4) books (including my NEW book, "The Runaway Bride"), purity rings, shirts & all that good stuff via pinkypromiseboutiques.com!

2. We have developed an APP! Think: daily post notifications + weekly devotionals, recipes and so much more! It's out NOW for iphones + Androids. Under: Heather & Cornelius Lindsey: Today With the Lindsey's

3.  If you live in Atlanta, I want to invite you to our church. Join us on Sundays at 11:00am at Landmark Midtown Art Cinemas. Our churches name is: "The Gathering Oasis"  931 Monroe Drive NE Atlanta, GA. 

4. Register for the 2016 Pinky Promise in Atlanta, GA! It sold out last year so you don't want to miss out! www.pinkypromiseconference.com

6. As always, you can join a Pinky Promise group locally! There's about 40,000 ladies that have joined! Find a group near you by joining & checking out the intro page! Join here: www.PinkyPromiseMovement.com

God loves you like crazy,
Love you all so much!

Heather Lindsey

Happy 3 months to our Ms. Taylor Milan! :) 

Pinky Promise's Statewide Baby Shower!

Getting set up for the statewide Baby Shower! Me & My husband, Cornelius! 

Whew! We've been super busy around here preparing for our 1st annual Pinky Promise statewide baby shower!! And, it finally happened on September 12, 2015!! I've been planning this thing in my head for a year and I started actually putting the Pinky Promise Dream Team in place and taking the steps towards the shower about a year ago.

It all started when I was pregnant with Logan in 2013. I had a pretty rough pregnancy with a 27 hour labor that ended in a C-section. Then, after being stuck in the bed for 2 weeks with a colicky, screaming child, non-stop diapers, nursing, post partum depression and just about everything else attacking me, I stopped and through, HOW do SINGLE WOMEN DO THIS!??! So, from that point forward, I was determined to host a statewide baby shower for low income mamas or mamas that simply need a little extra help or that want to attend a workshop that will help prepare them in taking care of their babies! So, if you're a single mama, I seriously SALUTE you and I'm praying that God gives you the grace to accomplish what He's called you to do.

I honestly was nervous when the Lord told me to start planning. I'm like, how am I going to help over 100 women.. pay for everything & do everything by myself? Then, He started to give me wisdom on what to do. So, I did both and the "Body of Christ" REALLY came together.  People came out of the woodwork to be vendors, to help, to sponsor. I knew that I was going to need a lot of help, so I reached out to my Pinky Promise sisters via www.pinkypromisemovement.com. I told them that if God places it on their heart to donate anything from diapers, to clothes, baby clothes or even finances, to please donate. I encouraged the women at the Pinky Promise Conference to bring gently used clothes and items and the ladies SHOWED out! They brought tons and tons of baby clothes, items and diapers. Women from ALL over the world started to ship items to our PO box! Pinky Promise Groups got together and sent huge boxes filled with product! People started to reach out to us and share with us that they have a cupcake business or contacts and they want to be a part of the event!

The schedule included 3 people sharing their story. My story, Melonie- who is in her 3rd year of law school as a single parent with a 3 year old and Nadra Cohens who was a single mother for 7 years before getting married. We served a light breakfast while the ladies spoke. Then, after the speakers and giveaways- the ladies went to different workshops. While at the workshops, they learned about dental healthcare, how to do CPR, breastfeeding and couponing! After each "session" they attended, they received raffle tickets in which they could use at the "mommy & baby boutique." If you want to hold one in your city, DO IT! Even if you're starting out small. Believe God that He will supply and HE WILL! I'm a living witness. Check out a few photos & my thoughts after the shower!

My hubby greeting the babies that got there early! :) 

Aaron helping us set up! 

Time to set up! 

Discussing the setup of the "Baby Boutique" with Pinky Promise Dream Team member, Wynter Deans. 

This volunteer strapped her baby on & went to WORK! Thank you for your service!! 

The Pinky Promise children's ministry! These ladies are AMAZING!

A new mama herself, Jennifer Spears helped set up the "Mommy Boutique!" She's also on Pinky Promise's dream team!

Mama Clover! (Cornelius's Mother)

A couple dream team & volunteer members! We are so thankful for you! 

Meeting some of the beautiful attendees & their babies! 

Thankful for these ladies! Dream Team Members: Anitra, Lori, April & Monica!

This AMAZING lady did our couponing session! 

I'm thankful for this guy's help! :) 

One of our vendors that assisted with insurance and helping the ladies find doctors!

Another awesome vendor!

Bethany Christian Services was an AMAZING vendor! I love that they are there for not ONLY adoption, but ladies can sign up & get "mentor families." So, if they need a few weeks to get on their feet, their baby can live with one of these safe host families and you can still see your family everyday. This is great for mothers that don't live in a stable environment or are transitioning from one place to another. Or, just mamas that have NO help and need a few days break. 

The baby boutique is getting organized! 

We didn't want to get too many items that were hard for the ladies to take home. So, we purchased a few "big ticket items" like pack and play and car seats. We did a raffle for the big items and the other items in the shop were "free game.!" :) 

At the "mommy boutique, ready to serve!"

This AMAZING lady donated balloons as decor! 

We are so thankful for Fleur de Lis Sweets in Atlanta (www.fleurdelissweets.com) for their donations! You guys are AWESOME!

Part of the baby Boutique!

The president of Pinky Promise, Lori! :) 

So beautiful! 

The doors have opened! 

Blood cord donation vendor!! 

More beautiful families! 

There was over 140 ladies there! 

The "kids" corner!

More beautiful mamas! 

Meeting some amazing mommys! 

Pretty much family! :)

Awesome volunteers!

Sharing my story! 

Melonie sharing her story! 

Pinky Promise Dream Team!

Our AMAZING speakers! Nadra Cohens & Melonie Wright 

We thank God for Chick Fil A who catered the event! 

I went home after the shower and I just sat there and cried. So many of the ladies shared their stories with me and my heart just broke hearing about their conditions. I knew that a  few temporary things wouldn't be enough for them. So, I encouraged them to visit our church or to find a church home and I'm inviting them to the Pinky Promise Conference.

Words cannot express or even capture this beautiful day! We are planning to do one in LA AND in Atlanta next year. So, if it's on your heart to be a volunteer, to donate, to do anything, please let us know via pinkypromisequestions@gmail.com! We are starting our "stockpiles." :)

Special thank you to our Pinky Promise Dream Team member, Monica who led the efforts on this shower. We couldn't have done it without you!

Thanks for sharing in our day & taking the time to see the shower. Can you do me a favor? Pray for the sweet mamas who were pregnant or currently have young children. 

God loves you all like crazy,

Heather Lindsey